Peter Mondrose is the Editor-In-Chief at BusinessPundit. He received his degree in Economics in 1998 and a second degree in Journalism in 2004. He has served as a financial adviser, market trader, and freelance journalist for the last 11 years. When he's not investigating market conditions and reporting on workplace news, he can be found traveling with his wife, dog, and laptop. He can be reached at PeterMondrose@BusinessPundit.com or (929) 265-0240.

Tajikistan dropped 34 spots from last year’s list to rank 150th as the country has continued to take a more authoritarian stance.

Brunei also fell 34 slots after bringing new interpretations to Sharia law which has so far resulted in threats of blasphemy charges and self-censorship.

The United States even managed to fall to 41st on the list, eight spots lower than in 2015.

Europe offered the overall best overall freedoms for journalists. North Africa and the Middle East ranked last.

“It is unfortunately clear that many of the world’s leaders are developing a form of paranoia about legitimate journalism,” Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Christophe Deloire said in a statement.

“The climate of fear results in a growing aversion to debate and pluralism and a clampdown on the media by ever more authoritarian and oppressive governments,” he added.